Tag: Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Poetry

Taxidermy by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

When I die I want to be stuffed stuffed and mounted on the wall like some poor old deer who got caught in the headlights  Not just the antlers mind you but the whole fucking catastrophe― glass eyes    mop of hair scars stretching beyond Wyoming Gutted by the skin of my teeth  like dead animals and birds I want to be filled with that special fake something―that makes me look like I’m alive―the stuff that dreams are … Continue reading Taxidermy by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Genna RivieccioLeave a comment
Poetry

When You Are On the Menu by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

It begins with an itch  then another   and another– those screaming red eruptions  on arms   legs    and unmentionables (Isn’t life a bitch!) the tell-tale sign of corruption– bloodstains on your pillow the viscous film of wet dream on your shrinking fitted sheets   Who are they?  these creeps these mites   small flat parasites   big appetites that live in dark places   alleyways   hidden spaces who feed off you   in excess before they retire to the comfort of your bed where they enjoy easy access   Yum while you lay … Continue reading When You Are On the Menu by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Genna RivieccioLeave a comment
Poetry

What’s Left? by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

They hand you a handout…a look     a number…a label a social identity that passes for you They call you they and them—   Black people   poor people gay people   other people  They add on ‘’people’’ to distinguish you  from White Western male majority  They can’ t help being like that     They were born that way  Do unto others before they do unto you Go ahead make duplicates  only I’ll keep the original  I anonymously yours am at a loss  Coiled in my shell—a cheap hotel  or is it … Continue reading What’s Left? by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Genna Rivieccio1 Comment
Poetry

The Illusionist by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

I present to you   an ordinary mirror–   a poem in which I will attempt to recreate a memory   before your very eyes–a dangerous disguiseI must warn you nowdon’t try this at home I am   after all   only a reflection of youThe black dye leaking from my brain is not real  merely the faint imaging of a cheap out-of-date copy machinewet with promiseThe blood leaking from … Continue reading The Illusionist by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Genna Rivieccio1 Comment
Poetry

Domestic Goddess by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

He kicked the catout the windowCarved her goldfishup like sushiDinner wasn’t ready on time He wanted it nowAnd I do mean NOW ! Ordered her uppink as rare beef—one tender homemakersimmered in silenceSwallowed her wholeone day at a time The day he beat herbeyond definitionshe navigated commandsin her state-of-the-art kitchenin her gingham apronher cellophane smile She had binge-cleaned                  and purgedthe entire apartment–worshipping at the altarin bulimic … Continue reading Domestic Goddess by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Genna Rivieccio1 Comment
Poetry

Sp-eyes by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

They’re everywhere–   here   therein restaurants in schools in mosques your closet your bed your last paragraph– those curious question marks! Spies with eyes in the back of their headare tracking you like the CIAlike a jealous lover  like a digitalized numberon an overnight package Big Brother surveillance cameras the eyes of your computer the eyes of strangers Facebook   Twitter Instagramstalking you like a wet dream  At the doctor’s office even the stethoscope knows your real name and … Continue reading Sp-eyes by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Genna RivieccioLeave a comment
Poetry

Of Papa Who Sang In the Opera by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

We buried him   in deep November brown hat brown suit brown shoes Color of sorrow of sepia of sienna of a thousand burnt photographs fading into their horizon Color of the linoleum I scrubbed with a toothbrush the day I was forced to dig my own grave for the crimes I committed like living A hole much smaller than the one in my heart We buried … Continue reading Of Papa Who Sang In the Opera by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Genna RivieccioLeave a comment
Poetry

Glass Nobodies by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Medusa–from Greek; protectress; guardian The owl and the pussycat went out to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat –Edward Lear 1. How I drowned in my mother’s tears alone and unrocked is the part of the story I leave out– how we shivered and swayed in the shadow of the storm how hurricanes had nothing on my father ! Shiver and sway shiver and sway … Continue reading Glass Nobodies by Antonia Alexandra Klimenko

Genna Rivieccio5 Comments